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I feel like my disability has made me a better athlete because it forced me to really focus not just on heavy lifting, but to learn how to move more intelligently. I have emphasized the muscle-mind connection more since becoming an amputee. Being an amputee has really taught me how to be a better, more adaptable athlete with endless possibilities.

I tried to approach fitness in the same way, but I was humbled at every juncture either by injury or just lack of ability—I could see where I wanted to go in my mind, but I didn’t have the right tools yet.

Right along with those “game-changers” is the kettlebell—and even more, the kettlebell swing. Both the kettlebell and the kettlebell swing are GREAT and have truly changed the fitness industry for the BETTER.

My definition of fitness is feeling your best, performing your best, and third—the lowest priority—is looking your best. If I do everything I can to feel and perform my best then I'm going to look my best.

Durability. There are few things more coveted by coaches and athletes than the ability to perform every time the team takes the field. There is nothing more disastrous than an injury for a high level athlete. Ask anyone on a team, their number one fear is a catastrophic injury.

Cupcakes for breakfast and Pringles chips for snacks - these were hallmarks of my youth. Now, even though I still have a lot of time ahead of me (as I am a high school student-athlete), this nonetheless means that I spent a decade of my life gorging on fattening foods and growing complacent in the typical sedentary American lifestyle.

You’ll notice that there are some martial arts that seem to cater to longevity, while others, sadly, promote a much shorter life or at least movement expectancy. A perfect example of this is to see an 80-year old Tai Chi practitioner compared to a Muay Thai fighter of the same age.

First of all, I think goal setting itself is important. It’s a relatively sure way to actually achieve what we want to achieve. However as I mentioned in our previous interview, if you take a good look at where you are in your life right now financially, professionally, and personally, chances are that five years ago you would not have envisioned where you are now.

It was only about 15 years ago when the deadlift was vilified. If you coached your clients to perform the deadlift, you were almost considered an irresponsible trainer. Only the super hardcore, “crazy” lifters really did it!